Golf: In-form Lee has chance at Open

Danny Lee. Photo / APN

VERSAILLES: New Zealand golfer Danny Lee is finally starting to rekindle the form that made him the youngest winner in the history of the European Tour as he recorded a four-under 67 on the first day of the French Open yesterday.

Lee didn't drop a shot in carding four birdies in hot and humid conditions on the Le National Golf Club course.

The 19-year-old Rotorua golfer ended the first day of the €3 million ($5.4 million) European Tour event in a share of fifth place, four strokes behind Dutchman Robert-Jan Derksen.

Derksen, 36, posted an eight-under 63 to seize a three-stroke lead over defending champion Martin Kaymer of Germany, Frenchman Jean van de Velde and Spaniard Alejandro Canizares.

Lee showed signs of his 2009 Johnnie Walker Classic form last week in Germany with scores of 70, 70, 65 and 72 to end in a share of 21st place in Munich.

It was Lee's best result in 13 European Tour events this season and also his fourth pay cheque in succession, but it only lifted him to 158th on the money list.

Lee remained full of enthusiasm after his first French Open round that was just the sixth occasion he'd broken 70 in 39 competitive rounds this year.

"I am pretty pleased with my round even though I did not hit the ball all that perfect," Lee said.

"It wasn't easy to make birdies out there but the good thing is that I didn't make any bogeys which was nice.

"I played well in Munich and my game seems to be coming round. Also my uncle is doing a great job caddying so he has a job on the bag for another day."

Lee capped his round at the par-three 16th where he took on the flagstick in the right-hand corner of the green with an eight-iron from 170m and knocked in the short birdie putt.

Another carrot for Lee this week is a British Open spot at St Andrews, which he can book with a top-five finish here, as well as being the leading non-exempt British Open player.

"Playing in the British Open at St Andrews is in the back of my mind and I know what I have to do this week and next but it is far too early to be talking about that," he said.

"At least this round today is a good step in the right direction."

Compatriot Mark Brown birdied three holes in a four-hole stretch before ending with a one-under 70.

Michael Campbell showed some good signs in closing with nine straight pars after earlier dropping four shots over his outward nine. Campbell's four-over 75 left him well off the bottom of the leaderboard and tied with Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke and Ireland's Paul McGinley.

- NZPA